Budget carrier Ryanair has committed to invest billions in its Irish operations over the next eight years, creating more than 2,000 new jobs in Ireland by 2030.
Eddie Wilson, chief executive, said the new roles would be for pilots, cabin crew, engineers and IT developers.
The carrier also aims to increase its annual passenger numbers to and from Ireland by 50% over the same period, rising from 20 million to 30 million.
More than €20 billion will be spent on new aircraft, and a €50 million training centre for pilots and cabin crew will be established in Santry.
An €8 million engineering excellence centre will open in Dublin, and €10 million will be invested in a maintenance hangar in Shannon.
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News of the growth came as Ryanair published an independent report by international consultants PwC, Contributing to Ireland’s Economy and Society, which shows that the airline is one of Ireland’s largest contributors to economic growth since it was founded by the Ryan family in 1985.
The report found that Ryanair and its guests spend more than €1.5 billion a year in the Irish economy, and the airline supports more than 26,000 Irish jobs annually.
It operates 200 routes from seven Irish airports and has flown more than 230 million passengers to and from Ireland since 1985.
Wilson said: “Today’s PwC Report quantifies the enormous contribution made by Ryanair, our people, and our passengers to the Irish economy over the last 35 years.
“Ryanair has been one of Ireland’s most important indigenous success stories since first founded by the Ryan family in 1985.
“[It] has grown to become Europe’s largest airline, and the world’s number five airline by passenger volumes.”
He added: “We call on the Irish government to pursue policies to promote low-fare connectivity, and reduce the environmental impact of air travel by pushing for urgent reform of Europe’s chronically inefficient ATC [air traffic control] system, and opposing unfair environmental taxes which penalise the most efficient point-to-point flights, while exempting the most polluting long-haul and connecting flights across Europe.”
Tánaiste [deputy prime minister] and minister for enterprise, trade and employment Leo Varadkar said: “Ryanair is one of the world’s most innovative airlines and a formidable Irish company. It democratised foreign travel across Europe, making overseas holidays affordable for millions of people.
“They led the way within the EU with online booking and check-in, digital ticketing, and radical new pricing models.
“As an island, we rely heavily on our connectivity with Europe and the inbound tourism it brings.
“There’s more good news today with Ryanair’s commitment to grow its Irish passenger numbers to 30 million per annum, to create over 2,000 new high-skill jobs and invest further in its seven airports in Ireland.”
Pictured from left: Ryanair Group chief executive Michael O’Leary; Ryanair DAC chief executive Eddie Wilson and Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar, at the launch event of Ryanair’s Contributing to Ireland’s Economy and Society report.